Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy chicken and mac and cheese recipe. Juicy, tender chicken melds perfectly with gooey, cheesy elbow macaroni, creating a dish that’s as delightful to eat as it is to prepare. Perfect for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners, this crowd-pleaser guarantees smiles all around!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2. Sauté the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper; cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
- 3. Create the cheese sauce: Sprinkle flour over cooked chicken and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
- 4. Add cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar and garlic powder until melted and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 5. Combine: Add drained pasta to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat every noodle.
- 6. Bake (optional): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, top with additional cheese or panko if desired, and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Enhance flavor by adding spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition. For a different twist, experiment with cheeses like pepper jack or gouda.